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United States Patent | 6,189,575 |
Ions ,   et al. | February 20, 2001 |
A recoverable article comprising an inner resilient tubular member that is held out in a laterally expanded configuration by engagement with outer holdout structure, wherein the outer surface of the inner member is provided with a plurality of cavities, and wherein the holdout structure occupies the cavities so as to provide the holdout engagement, wherein the holdout structure comprises at least one initiating portion that is structurally different from the remaining portion that engages at least one associated cavity, whereby release of the initiating portion from its cavity facilitates subsequent release of the remaining portion of the holdout structure.
Inventors: | Ions; David (1 Coxs Road, Shrivenham, Wiltshire, SN6 8EL, GB); Winfield; Philip Roland (Churchfield House, Latton, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN6 6DS, GB); Toerringer; Josef (D-83128 Halfing, Sonnendorf 4, DE); Gansbuehler; George (4 Harptree Close, Nine Elms, Shaw, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 9UN, GB); Lewington; Sean Michael (9 Totterdown Close, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN3 5DT, GB); Costigan; Philip (41 Ravenscroft, Covingham, Swindon, SN3 5AE, Wiltshire, GB) |
Appl. No.: | 380522 |
Filed: | September 3, 1999 |
PCT Filed: | March 18, 1998 |
PCT NO: | PCT/GB98/00822 |
371 Date: | September 3, 1999 |
102(e) Date: | September 3, 1999 |
PCT PUB.NO.: | WO98/42056 |
PCT PUB. Date: | September 24, 1998 |
Mar 19, 1997[GB] | 9705697 |
Current U.S. Class: | 138/106; 138/113; 138/120; 138/128; 138/153; 138/155; 138/157; 138/173 |
Intern'l Class: | F16L 003/00 |
Field of Search: | 138/106,113,120,128,153,155,157,173 |
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